He's been doing a lot of work in other fields is word on the street, though I'm not sure, its just written down in some random places. Roddy isn't just fast, he's a very good drummer. Research him a bit, even if he was all blast beats he has some very creative blasts (check out the multi pedal blasting video)

Your speed is impressive Mr. Roddy. I have not seen many YouTube clips, so I wonder what kinda stuff, if any, do you play that has any redeeming value. I mean, blast beats are okay, but, can you groove like Benny Greb or Dave Weckl? I mean no offense, I just don't think of the art of playing the drum set as much of an EXTREME sport as some others.
I guess, times are changing.

If I remember correctly, at the Meinl Drum Festival, Norbert told the crowd where he first met Derek Roddy, he knew that he´s an outstanding blast beat drummer ... and then he watched Derek in a bar in Texas drumming some country tunes ! ^^

I totally agree with pushing yourself to get better, but is that really getting better? You are doing a different technique to acheive the same result musically, which really, musicality is more important to me than an alternative technique that takes up practice time, that acheives the same thing musically as something that takes less effort.. I mean, shouldn't we be making things easier for ourselves and easier on our body so that we can be more creative? I mean in reality, there isn't much in the death metal genre you can do to be creative. There is only one death metal band that I've heard that blew every other death metal drummer I've heard, out of the water. I suggest you take a look at Yattering, they disbanded i think, but that drummer was awesome. His name is Zabek. I should post a song or a music video they had for one of their songs.

Think about the percussion he has with his left foot, though. He can open up new doors because he can roll his left foot around and hit his alternate bass drum or work with his high hats. I think single foot blasting is quite useful.

Hey Dereck
I really enjoy the way you play and am curious on the clave pattern that you played in one of your solos. Was it a movable clave pattern or were playing in a time sig that wasn't so obvious? Just curious keep up the good work. Also I am good friends of Dougs from Defcon 4 he says wuzzz up!!!
Mike o www.myspace.com/growri check it out funk/groove/hip hop

Hey Dereck
I really enjoy the way you play and am curious on the clave pattern that you played in one of your solos. Was it a movable clave pattern or were playing in a time sig that wasn't so obvious? Just curious keep up the good work. Also I am good friends of Dougs from Defcon 4 he says wuzzz up!!! Also I see you have a double pedal and a second bass is it tuned up higher? what do you use it for? thanks again
Mike o www.myspace.com/growri check it out funk/groove/hip hop

Judging by the pictures, they will be rising soon indeed :) So you have a pet snake? That's pretty cool. I was thinking about getting me a pet lizard or another reptile.

Ha..yea, about another 20-25 days...they'll be hatching.

Yes, I keep and breed...(well, I don;t breed them...I let the snakes do that!)
And raise up the babies.
It's a fun hobby.
Cool to see the very start of life...such as a hatching snake coming out of an egg.
Very cool stuff.
Life is cool.

Flat foot is still heel up. I use that term because I don't angle my feet. The entire surface of my foot hits the pedal at the same time. It's the same thing that everybody I've ever seen play a bass drum does.( accept for the heel down players) Maybe the angles are different from player to player but at the end of all of that.... is still only one "techinque".

This quote, from the man himself is important because there is a lot of misinformation out there which tries to explain that 'flat foot' technique is something altogether different from heel up.

Technique A). What flat-foot technique ISN'T: using only the muscles in your hips/butt to lift the entire weight of your thigh, calf and foot up in the air, and the antagonistic muscle pair plus the aid of gravity to bring said bodily structures back down, consequently depressing the bass drum pedal.

Technique B). What flat-foot technique IS: using the muscles in your calves, just like in regular heel up, albeit at a slightly flatter angle which Derek happens to find more comfortable playing at.

NOTE - using your calf muscles in the way described in 'Technique B).' will still cause your leg to be raised into the air, so these two techniques essentially, look the same, but feel very different.

I think, the use of the term 'hip-flexor muscles' is what throws people off into thinking that flat foot technique is 'Technique A).' where you're lifting your whole thigh into the air from the hip. The hip flexors may well be involved in flat foot technique, but only as a stabilizing muscle ie. so you don't fall off your stool.

If flat foot technique is as the quote from Derek above says - then the muscles driving the action of the technique will still be the muscles of the calf - again, just like regular heel up.

Seriously, try playing Technique A). - I guarantee you will be struggling to play with any consistency, you will be off-balance, and you may even get back-ache.

Hey Derek! just want to tell you that you're a huge inspiration man, since I've been into your drumming it has inspired me to practice a lot more, to try to take my drumming to the next level, and to try to be unique. I've been trying to learn The Victorious Reign, amazing drumming dude. Hopefully you read this, lol.

I just bought Derek's book, "The Evolution Of Blast Beats" and I would strongly recommend it, it's great for your overall playing, not only blast beats, I've learned a lot from it and I've had it for less than a week.

I just bought Derek's book, "The Evolution Of Blast Beats" and I would strongly recommend it, it's great for your overall playing, not only blast beats, I've learned a lot from it and I've had it for less than a week.

Hey Blastface.....Just wanted to say thanks for the positive book review.
Cheers Man.!

Hudson Music will be re-releasing it in August or September.... for those interested in picking up a copy.

I am by no means a death or speed metal fan...but i can appreciate Derek Roddy's skills....hes a very good drummer just not one who plays in a style i love to hear...cheers and keep playing and inspiring young drummers Mr. Roddy